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As I prayerfully sit to write this article, a Scripture immediately springs to mind from Romans 10:20 (NKJ) which I feel is very relevant for this season. ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me, I made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.’ In a simpler version it says, ‘I was found by people who were not looking for Me. I showed Myself to those who were not asking for Me.

I truly believe we are on the verge of seeing this Scripture come to pass in our Nation. We are at the tipping point of an unprecedented, supernatural outpouring of God’s Spirit across our Nation, reaching into the most far-flung regions of this land! No one is too remote or hidden to escape God’s loving scrutiny. There will be divine encounters with God in the night, dreams and visitations upon the hearts and minds of those who need Him most. There will be a sudden, sovereign ‘God awareness’, a reverential awe touching lives, bringing transformation of thinking, salvation and deliverance from debilitating habits and mindsets that prevent us from receiving the blessings He has in mind for us all. The ‘fruits of the Holy Spirit’, the direct result of a touch from God will begin to be evident in human lives – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Will you and I allow ourselves to be used as a catalyst for change in our precious Nation?

For those who dare to rise up in faith and ‘call those things that are not, as though they are’ (Romans 4:17) – there will be miracles of unprecedented proportions – things onlookers cannot deny. New life and new hope will spring up, fresh inspiration and direction will be imparted to take the next steps needed as we pray ‘order my steps O Lord, according to Your good purpose’. (King David was asking God to guide him as he walked through life dodging deadly pitfalls).

THERE WILL COME A DEEP PEACE ‘IN THE INNERMOST PART OF YOUR BEING, YOUR SPIRIT, a ‘peace that passes all understanding’ will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus’ (Phil 4:7) This peace will flood your soul – (mind, will and emotions).

I can personally testify how God showed Himself so real to me many years ago in a very tough season. I had only shared the crisis with 2 Christian friends who I knew would keep my confidence and would pray. I was at the clothesline hanging the washing, weeping with my heart smashed into a million pieces. I didn’t know which way to turn! Suddenly, what I can only describe as a supernatural presence of peace came upon me and enveloped me like a cloak. It washed all over me, covering me and sheltering me as if in a very safe place. All the angst I was experiencing drained away! When you have an experience like this, nothing can rob you of it. This peace settled around my heart and emotions and my clouded thinking became clear. I was 100% sure of what my next steps needed to be. The Presence of God can visit you anywhere, any time! Be on the lookout for your own personal encounter!

Habakkuk 3:19 (amplified version), is a powerful verse that has strengthened me over and over again during difficult seasons. Please take time to read this for yourself as many times as need be to make it yours. ‘The Lord God is my Strength and my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk (not stand still in terror, but to walk) and make (spiritual progress) upon my high places (of trouble, suffering and responsibility)! No matter how things might seem, I choose to exalt my God despite the circumstances! I choose to look up and live! I choose to focus on what I have rather than what I have not!

Further evidence of the reality of the Scripture, ‘I’ve been found by those who were not seeking me’ can be seen on a YouTube video entitled ‘God saves Girl Lost at Sea’. This Australian girl had no desire whatsoever to have anything to do with God, but in her hour of crisis, in shark infested waters if the South China Sea, HE SOUGHT HER, and she heard His audible voice clearly instruct her! This same power is freely available to you and to me. He is no respecter of persons!

NO ONE IS EVER BEYOND REACH OF HIS EVERLASTING ARMS OF LOVE OR TOO FAR GONE TO BE ACCEPTED INTO THEM. LOVE DRIVES HIM TO PURSUE US.

My fervent prayer for each and every person reading and re-reading this letter is that you will personally encounter God in ways that are most significant to you. He will not disappoint you! Numbers 23:10 says, ‘He is not a man that He should lie or a son of man that He should change His mind. Has He not said and will He not do? Or has He spoken and will He not fulfill?’ (You may have suffered many disappointments, broken promises, been lied to or treated treacherously and find it difficult to trust). God is not like that! He is the opposite! He keeps His word and His promises! His love is sure and steady and trustworthy!

Perhaps you might find a quiet private place to still your mind and see yourself physically handing over every single one of those unbearably heavy burdens and unresolved conflicts to Him today – those things which, try as you may, you’ve been unable to resolve. A simple prayer could be something like this: ‘Lord I hand over every single one of these things I have no answers for, please help me. I know I can’t, but You can’. See yourself physically handing them over to the Someone far greater than us Who has the answers to all things! Then sit quietly and peacefully in His Presence and listen. EXPECT to hear! Trust Him with the outcomes and trust He ‘will order your steps according to His good purpose’. (The answers might come as you’re doing the most mundane tasks)! Feeding the dogs, hanging the washing, vacuuming the house but you’ll recognize the answer. It will be accompanied with peace.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face to shine upon you and give you peace. May His loving kindness and comfort abound to you today and always!

Pastor Liz Howland (formerly Liz Collins of “Wandilla”, Marlborough)
Liz was born into a pioneering Central Queensland rural family.
Her passion is to see our Nation come to the life transforming knowledge of Jesus Christ, to convey the message that God’s life giving Word, (the Bible) is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago, and how to practically apply God’s principles in everyday life.